📜🇺🇸🤝 Buncombe County Early College social studies teacher Todd Callaway used Constitution Day to emphasize the importance of debate and compromise.
He started his lesson with a big question: “What is the proper role of a national government?” Students reflected individually, in small groups, and as a class, while Callaway spoke about the conversations that took place all the way back in 1787, when it had become clear to many early U.S. leaders that the Articles of Confederation needed to be revised.
“They had a dilemma, and it led to them ditching the Articles of Confederation,” he said. “They asked themselves that central question about the proper role of a national government. And it’s a question we still grapple with today.”
The students imagined they were drafting their own constitutions for imaginary countries. What would be the “dos” and “don’ts” for their national governments? Ideas included protecting the rights of the people, staying out of unnecessary conflicts, creating layers of accountability, and more. Then they read and debated each other’s ideas.
“Americans should be educated about constitutional rights and amendments, because knowing them is essential to being an informed citizen,” said Jayden, a third year student.
“It’s important to study foundational documents, because people often lose sight of what America stands for- freedom to live as one chooses without harming others,” added Lauren, another third year student.
These conversations are a defining feature of America, Mr. Callaway said.
“The Constitution itself was built on compromise, an imperfect but unifying framework,” he said. “All of us, not just students, must understand the Constitution in order to participate meaningfully in democracy through voting and civic engagement.”